Residents of Lakeland are encouraged to participate in an open house on November 3, 2025, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. to learn about plans for a potential new city hall and to provide feedback on two proposed designs for council chambers. The event will take place at the current Lakeland City Hall located at 690 Quinnell Avenue N.
City officials are considering purchasing the Telus commercial building situated at 84 St. Croix Trail S. According to City Clerk Michelle Elsner, a non-binding letter of intent was submitted on October 1, with the building appraised at $525,000. The Telus company is relocating to Hudson, Wisconsin, prompting this opportunity for the city.
During the open house, residents will review and provide input on two different designs for the council chambers, developed by the architect. The city seeks to ensure that the new city hall meets the needs of the community effectively.
The current city hall, built in 1868 as a Baptist church, has faced numerous structural challenges. Significant issues include bowing exterior walls, a sagging roof, and cracks in the basement walls. Additionally, there are concerns about mold and water infiltration, which have raised accessibility issues. High levels of radon have also been detected, prompting city staff to vacate the building and temporarily move operations to the city’s water department facility.
Efforts to establish a new city hall have been ongoing for several years. The city previously planned to construct a new facility, but those plans were derailed following an arson incident in November 2016. The building that was under construction was destroyed in a fire on November 13, 2016, just days after then-Mayor Amy Williams was defeated by then-council member Richard Glasgow, who had opposed the new city hall project. No charges have been filed concerning the arson case.
As the city moves forward with the open house, officials hope to engage residents in the decision-making process regarding the future of local governance. Community input will be vital to ensure that the new city hall reflects the needs and aspirations of the residents of Lakeland.
